Did Iyanla Vanzant exploit Evelyn Lozada?

Life coach Iyanla Vanzant questioned whether Evelyn Lozada and her show “Basketball Wives” exploits Black women, and critics wondered the same of Iyanla.

The “Fix My Life” host came under fire this week after the premiere of her OWN series that featured a two-part interview with the ex-wife of former NFL star Chad Johnson.

Ratings soared for the freshman series as Evelyn Lozada failed to fight back tears, wept on Iyanla’s shoulder and disclosed family secrets. While Evelyn seemed grateful for the support, some suggested she was being used to boost ratings.

While Iyanla admitted that the episode, originally intended to air as the third of the season, was rescheduled to launch the series, she explained the logic behind that decision.

“The reason it was the first show was because of the upheaval with her and Chad. It was timely,” she said, according to TheGrio.com.

Like all her other guests, Iyanla said Evelyn is the one who reached out. The OWN producers did not seek to have Evelyn on the show.

“She wrote me just like every other guest,” she explained. “That’s an indication of willingness.”

The first part of the interview was taped prior to the domestic incident that resulted in Evelyn’s quick divorce from Chad. At the end of that episode, Iyanla assured Evelyn that the two would remain in touch.

Iyanla, who considers her show “healing,” said she’s stuck to that promise and speaks with Evelyn several times a week.

As for the critics who suggested her motives were less than honorable, Iyanla didn’t bite her tongue, referring to the Twitter attackers as “cowards.”

“At my age, I can’t care what people say and most of it, I forget,” she said.